Top 10 Places to Visit in Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving monuments from the Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World

The Blue Hole in South Sinai is one of the best places
for deep sea diving

When in Aswan, you must
eat on a floating restaurant

Egypt brings out the Indian Jones in everyone but this country has a lot
more to offer than just its history. Read on to find out more about the top ten
places to visit in Egypt.

When you think of Egypt, archaeology, and history come to mind. However, that is not all Egypt has to offer. Bustling cities exist side by side with the ancient sphinx and pyramids. The country has vast deserts as well as an extensive coastline with beautiful beaches.

So, whether you’re looking for adventure, a relaxing vacation or a new
cultural experience, Egypt has plenty to
offer. Here are the top 10 places that must be included in your itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

Best Time to Visit

Busiest Season

Summer (May-August)

Winter (October-February)

Between September and April

Easter, Christmas, and New Years

Temperature: Minimum 17 °C and maximum 36 °C

Temperature: Minimum 18 °C and maximum 26 °C

10 Places to Visit in Egypt

1.The Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids of Giza

No trip to Egypt is complete without seeing the magnificent Pyramids of Giza.
These are the only surviving monuments from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. The pyramids were originally built as tombs for Egyptian Pharaohs and are guarded by a gigantic
sculpture of a Sphinx. The Sphinx can be described as a mythical creature with
the head of a lion and the body of a human. Archaeologists
are still trying to understand how these structures were built.

2. Cairo

Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city boasts of a blend of ancient
architecture with modern conveniences. The markets take the form of labyrinths
with narrow lanes flanked by stalls and small workshops. The Khan-el-Khalili is one of the most well-known
markets or souks where shoppers can find everything from spices and perfumes to
textiles and ceramics. Apart from shopping, Cairo has a lot of history worth
exploring as well. The medieval gate of Bab Zuweila, the Sultan Hassan Mosque
and the Al-Azhar Mosque are must visits.

3. Aswan

Nile in Aswan

Aswan is a tranquil town set along the meandering curves of the Nile River.
This is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxing vacation. From Aswan, tourists can
take a ferry across the Nile to the Elephantine Island and walk through the
lanes of the Nubian villages. A camel ride to the St Simeon’s monastery in the
desert is another must do. Unlike restaurants in other cities, the restaurants
in Aswan float on the Nile and travel upstream and downstream with the
currents.

4. Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is known mostly for the temple dedicated to Ramses II. This
temple is unlike any other for many reasons. Firstly, it’s megalithic proportions. The temple features giant statues that
stand guard outside and has interiors decorated with intricate paintings
reflecting the life and time when this temple was built. Another reason this
temple is famous is because the temple
does not stand at the location where it was initially constructed. In the 1960s
the temple was cut into large blocks and moved to its current location to save
it from being submerged in water.

5. The White Desert

The White Desert

Egypt’s white desert is unlike any other desert in the world. With its
surreal white chalky mountains, the desert looks like land covered in snow
instead of sand. Other distinguishing factors
are its boulders and icicle-like formations that are usually not
seen in deserts. This is a great place to set up camp for a night under the
stars.

6. The Siwa Oasis

Palm Tress in Egypt

The Siwa Oasis is one of the most
famous places in Egypt’s western desert. The oasis is surrounded by a number of
freshwater springs and date palm
plantations. The town has a tranquil air about it that sets it apart from
modern cities. It is centred around the
ruins of a citadel built with mud bricks. If you’re looking for souvenirs to
take back home, the baskets, pots, embroidered fabrics and silver ornaments of
Siwa are something you should take a look at.

7. Alexandria

Bibliotheca Alexandria

As the name suggests, Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great. It
was the home of Cleopatra and probably has the most interesting history a city
can boast of. Though parts of this ancient city are believed to have
disappeared under the Mediterranean Sea, there is still plenty to explore. Some
of the must-visits include the Mahmoud
Said Museum, Bibliotheca Alexandria, Catacombs of Kom Ash Shuqqafa and Pompey’s
Pillar. The city also has a number of cafes and souks that offer a taste of old-world European glamour.

8. St Catherine’s Monastery

St Catherine’s Monastery

St Catherine’s monastery is one of the world’s oldest monasteries. Set
at the foot of Mount Sinai, this monastery houses an expansive collection of
religious art, iconography and manuscripts. Mount Sinai is where Moses is
believed to have received the Ten Commandments from God. This is also the site
of the burning bush mentioned in the Old Testament. When visiting the
monastery, try timing your visit to allow you enough time to hike up to Mount
Sinai and see a sunrise or sunset. The
climb can also be done as a camel ride.

9. Luxor

Luxor Karnak Temple

The town of Luxor in north Egypt is a must visit for its history. The
city of Luxor stands in place of the ancient Thebes- the base of power for the
Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The east
bank and west bank of the city are poles
apart. On the east, souks offer spices, teas, ceramics and other souvenirs. On the west lie temples and tombs
that create the world’s largest open-air
museum. Must visit places in Luxur
include the Karnak Temple, Valley of the
Kings and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut.

10. South Sinai

A view of River Nile

While Luxor is known for its history, south Sinai is known for its
beaches. The red sea is one of the top diving destinations in the world and
this coastline has some of the best dive sites. One of the most famous amongst
these is the Blue Hole. This submarine is about 130m deep and is a great place
to see coral and reef fish. The Ras Mohamed National Park is located nearby.
This park may be visited by car or by boat and is famous for its natural corals
and underwater life.